ACB speaks on seven Cabinet ministers

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) yesterday cleared the seven Cabinet ministers alleged to be mentioned in the 13 files the Auditor General (AG) submitted to the graft-busting body involving the looting of K236 billion from government coffers between 2009 and 2014.

ACB director general Lucas Kondowe said yesterday at a press briefing in Lilongwe that none of the 13 files that ACB received from the National Audit Office (NAO) mentions a Cabinet minister.

Said Kondowe: “I can say without fear of contradiction that the propaganda that is going around that there are seven ministers mentioned in the files [is not correct].”

ACB director of investigations Dan Mponda disclosed that the bureau has finished reviewing the 13 files and it now intends to send a report to the AG’s office for further action.

The forensic audit covering January 2009 to December 2014 shows that K83.5 billion was paid to 44 companies.

He said the bureau reviewed the 13 files detailing payments of K17.1 billion that was made to the companies by the Malawi Police Services (MPS) and Malawi Defence Force (MDF).

Kondowe also said the 13 files the ACB had reviewed did not include work to determine if at all the payments represent legitimate delivery of goods and services contracted.

He also refuted rumours that he does not see eye-to-eye with his deputy, Reyneck Matemba, saying the two are in good terms.

“The bureau would like to state that there is a good and normal working relationship between me and my deputy.

It is unfortunate that some people have been saying there is a discord between us,” he said.

Commenting on the same issue, Matemba said his relationship with the director is cordial and mutual.

Said Matemba: “Sometimes we argue on issues to do with our work, but in the end, we find a way out.”

Kondowe, however, admitted that the bureau empathises with the public on its frustration regarding its work saying at times his office has fallen short of people’s expectations.